Rotary engine



Feb. 3, 1942. F. MOESER I 2,271,659

ROTARY ENGINE Filed June 4. 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS Feb. 3, 1942. MQESER 2,271,659

ROTARY ENGINE Filed June 4, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a 2", 93 r {2 4:6 INVENTOR Q2 95 M W ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 3, 1942 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE ROTARY ENGINE FrankMoeser, Snyder, N. Y.

Application June 4, 1940, Serial No. 338 .769

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a fluid pressure engine and more particularly to a rotary motor or engine which is operated by steam pressure. It is the object of this invention to provide a motor of this character which is positive and reliable in its action, which is comparatively simple in construction and not liable to get out of order and which will develop a maximum output of power for the amount of pressure fluid which is consumed and therefore effects a substantial economy in cost of operation.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of stationary rotary motor embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same, on enlarged scale, taken on line 2--2, Fig. 3.

Figs. 3 and 4 are vertical transverse sections on a reduced scale, taken on line 3-4, Fig. 2, andlooking respectively in. opposite directions.

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section, taken on line 5 5, Fig, 2', and looking in the direction of the arrow associated with this line.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section, taken on line 6-6, Fig; 2, and showing the control means for regulating the amount of steam or other pressure medium supplied to the motor.

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the control means organized to permit of regulating the Q speed of the same by varying the supply of pressure fluid thereto and permitting of reversing the direction of operation of the engine.

Figs, 8 and 9 are fragmentary sections, on an enlarged scale, taken on the correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. 3.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation showing the invention organized for driving a wheel of an automobile. 1

Fig. 11 is a vertical longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, of the same taken on line l|-| I, Fig. 10.

In the following description like reference characters indicate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to Figs. 16-, the numeral 2!] represents the stator or frame of the rotary engine which in this case is stationary and comprises two transverse upright walls or members 2|, 22 of circular form which have their opposing vertical sides provided with interengaging surfaces so as to produce in effect a rabbet joint 23 between the frame members which interlock the same and hold them against radial displacement relative to one another. These frame members are detachably connected so that the same can be separated for introducing operating mechanism between them and holding these members in place after such assemblage. For this purpose the marginal parts of the frame members may be connected by horizontal bolts 24, as best shown in Fig. 2, or other suitable means;

The frame members 2i, 22 are provided on their outer sides with strengthening ribs 2-5 and on their undersides with feet 26 which are adapted to rest on the floor or other surface upon which the engine rests. The opposing inner sides of the frame members are provided respectively with cavities which together form a cylindrical guide chamber having its axis arranged horizontally. Theinner sides of the opposing walls of the frame members form vertical guides 21, 12 which are arranged in planes at right angles to the axisof the guide chamber and the inner side of the peripheral wall of the frame forms a cylindrical guide 28 which is arranged concentrically with said axis. On the central parts of the bodys-ections the same are provided with horizontal bearings 2'9, 30 which are arranged in line and in which is journaled a driving shaft 3| operated by the engine and transmitting the same to the parts to be driven in any suitable manner.

Within this guide chamber is arranged a oylindrical rotor or drum 32 which is preferably of cylindrical form and secured with its central part to the driving shaft 3| so as to rotate therewith and provided with opposite flat sides 33, 33! which engage the flat guide surfaces 21, I2 of the guide chamber and also provided with a concentric periphery 34 which engages with the circumferential guide 28 of this chamber. Fluid pressure responsive means are provided for turning this rotor or drum which means preferably include a plurality of power cylinders 35 formed in the rotor and each having its inner end closed by a head 36. formed integrally with the body of. the rotor or drum while its outer end is closed by a head 36 I which is connected with the rotor body by a screw joint 31.

These power cylinders are arranged equidistant around the circumferential part of the rotor body and each cylinder has its longitudinal axis. arranged slightly on one side of and parallel with a radial line from the axis of said rotor.

forms the inner head 36 of this cylinder. Within each power cylinder is arranged a longitudinally reciprocable piston 40 which is connected with the inner end of a piston rod 4|. The latter slides through a stufling box 42 in the inner head 36 of the respective power cylinder and is connected at its inner end with a cross head 43 which slides in the adjacent guideway 38.

' On its laterally opposite sides each of the cross heads 43 is provided with thrust members 44 which preferably have the form of rollers and which engage respectively with endless thrust cams having the form of grooves or camways 45 arranged in the opposing inner surfaces 21, 12 of the side walls of the guide chamber and cocentrically relative to the axis of the rotor,

Upon introducing a pressure medium, such as steam, compressed air or water under pressure, alternately into the outer and inner ends of each power cylinder the piston therein will be reciprocated and cause the cross head and thrust rollers connected therewith to be moved in a corresponding direction relative to the axis of the rotor. During the reciprocating movement of each piston the thrust rollers associated therethe axis of the rotor to those parts nearest said axis, and during the outward movement of this piston these thrust rollers move from those parts of the cam grooves nearest to the axis of the rotor to those parts of these grooves farthest from said axis, thereby causing the rotor to turn about its axis. This eifect is produced successively by the pistons of the several power cylinders so that the operation of the several pistons overlap one another and cause the power developed to turn the drum continuously and uni- 'formly.

A valve mechanism is provided for alternately admitting a live pressure medium to the opposite ends of the several power cylinders and exhausting this medium therefrom after the same is dead or spent, and sealing means are also provided for maintaining a tight joint between the several power cylinders and the means which supply the live pressure medium and discharge the same after it has spent its power. Although the valve mechanism and sealing means for this purpose may be variously organized the same, as shown in the drawings, is preferably constructed as follows:

The numerals 46, 41 represent two packing rings or annular packing plates which are arranged respectively in annular pockets or guide grooves 48, 48| formed in the inner surfaces of the side walls 21, 12 of the guide frame and held yieldingly in engagement with the opposite radial sides of the rotor adjacent to the periphery thereof. The packing ring 46 is pressed inwardly for this purpose by means of springs 49 which are seated at their inner ends in pockets 50 in the'outer side of the packing ring 46 while the outer ends of these springs are seated in pockets formed in the side wall 2| of the frame, as shown in Fig. 2;- The numeral 52 represents a valve ring which is arranged in the outer part of the guide groove 48| of the frame wall 12 and bears with its inner side against the outer side of the packing ring 41 arranged in the respective guide groove. Tight joints are maintained between opposite sides of the packing ring 41 and the rotor and the valve ring by springs 53 bearing at their inner ends against the outer sides of the valve ring 52 and seated at their outer ends in pockets 54 formed in the side wall 12 of the frame.

The packing rings 46, 41 are free to move axially relative to opposite vertical sides of the rotor but held against rotation by means of splines '55, 56 interposed between these rings and the frame, but the valve ring 52 is free to move axially and also rotate circumferentially relative to the frame and packing ring 41.

The numerals 57 represent a plurality of outer ports formed in the rotor and opening into the outer ends of the several power cylinders and also opening to the adjacent outer side of the respective vertical side 33| of the rotor on a circular line of comparatively large diameter which is concentric with the axis of the rotor. The numeral 58 represents a plurality of inner ports formed in the rotor and opening into the inner ends of the several power cylinders and also opening to the adjacent outer side of the rotor on a circular line of comparatively small diameter which is concentric with the axis of the rotor. The packing ring 41 is arranged on that side of the rotor containing the ports 51, 58 and is provided on its inner surface with inner pressure supply and exhaust channels or conduits 6|, 62 which are of crescent form and of comparatively small diameter and arranged on diametrically opposite sides of the axis of the rotor and concentrically therewith and adapted to register successively with the inner ports 58 of the several power cylinders. The packing ring 41 is also provided on its outer surface with outer pressure supply and exhaust channels or conduits 59, 60 which are of crescent form and of comparatively large diameter and arranged on diametrically opposite sides of the axis of the rotor and concentrically therewith and adapted to register successively with the outer ports 51 of the several power cylinders. Each of the inner channels 6|, 62 has its opposite ends arranged adjacent to the opposite ends of the outer channels 59, 60, as shown in Fig. 4. Pressure medium, such as steam, compressed air, or water under pressure, is supplied to the pressure channels 59, 6| through conduits including pressure inlet ports 63, 64 extending through the packing ring 4'! and preferably communicating with the front end of the large outer pressure channel 59 and the front end of the small inner pressure channel 6|, respectively. The pressure supply conduits also include valve pressure ports 65, 66 extending through the valve ring 52 and communicating with the front ends, respectively, of the outer and inner pressure ports 63, 64, and also communicating with the branches 61, '68 of a main pressure supply pipe 69, which branches pass through clearance openings 10, 1| in the adjacent wall 22 of they frame or stator.

The spent or dead pressure medium is discharged from the exhaust channels or conduits 6|], 62 through exhaust conduits which include exhaust ports 73, 14 extending through the packing ring 41 and communicating preferably with the rear end of the large outer exhaust channel 50 and the rear end of the small inner exhaust channel 62. These exhaust conduits also include valve exhaust ports l5, 16 extending through the valve ring 52 and communicating respectively with the rear ends of .the large outer and small inner exhaust channels 60, 62 and also communicating with thebranches H, 18 of a main exhaust pipe 19, which branches pass throughthe clearance. openings 7:0,. H of. the frame or rotor. Assuming. that the: rotor or drum in. the position in which one of its working cylinders. is: on the upper part of the same and; the piston therein: has reached. the end; of. its upward or outward stroke due: to the: pressure of the steam or other pressure medium exerted. from the inner part of the respective cylinder against the inner. side of the piston therein, as shown in Fig. 2', the con-- tinued operation of the engine is as follows:

At this time the lower port: 58 of. the uppermost cylinder has reached the" front end of the small pressure supply channel 61,. as shown: in Fig. 8' and during its continued forward movement for a short distance this port 58 of. this cylinder will. pass forwardly beyond the front endof the small. pressure channel: 65- and cut off the further supply of steam to the inner end of the" respective cylinder. Shortly thereafter the inner port 58 of this cylinder communicates with the rear end of the small exhaust channel 62, thereby permitting the spent pressure medium to escape from the inner end of thiscylinder through the ports M, ii to the main exhaust pipe 19. When the port 58 at the inner end of the uppermost cylinder reaches the front end of the small pressure supply channel, as shown in Fig. 8', the companion pcrt El at the outer end of this cylinder. reaches the front end of the large exhaust channel 60, as shown in Fig. 9 at which time the discharge of the spent pressure from the outer end of the uppermost cylinder is completed. As the rotor continues its forward movement a short distance the upper port 51 of this cylinder is cutofi" from the large exhaust channel 60 and placed in communication wi-ththe rear end of the large pressure channel 59, thereby admitting live pressure medium into the upper end: of the uppermost cylinder and driving the piston therein. inwardly and causing the spent pressure medium in the inner end of the respective cylinder to be discharged by the piston therein through the small exhaust channel 82 and the ports M, 18. During. onehalf of a rotation of the rotor or drum which carries the respective cylinder from the uppermost to the lowermost part of the rotor the innor and outer ports 58, 5-! remain in communication with the crescent shaped exhaust and pressure channels 62, M from the rear to the front ends of the same whereby a constant pressure is applied to the piston inthe respective cylinder,- thereby moving this piston inwardly and causing the same to exert a rotating action on the rotor or drum and the dead pressure medium to be expelled from the inner end. of this cylinder.

As each of the cylinders arrives on the lowermost part of the rotor the outer port 51 of this cylinder reaches the front end of the large pressure channel El and the inner port 58 of the same communicates with the front end of the inner small exhaust channel 62 and as the rotor continues its forward movement this outer port 51 is cut on from. the large pressure supply channel 59 and connected with the large exhaust channel 69, andthe inner port 58 of this cylinder is out off from the small exhaust channel 62 and connected with the small pressure supply channel 6 l whereby a reversal in the movement of the piston in this cylinder is effected and a working impulse imparted to the rotor in the same manner as has been described in connection with the showing in Figs. 8 and 9. The pistons in the several cylinders are successively operated in this manner during continued rotation of the rotor and the thrust effect of these. pistons on the stator or frame: overlap each other, thereby causing the lattertolie-subjected to a constant working pressure: and produce. a uniform output of power.

The speed of. the engine can be regulated by turning the valve ring 52 so that its pressure ports 65, 66 and. exhaust ports: T5; Ht are either in complete:- reg'i'ster' with the respective. pressure ports 63, M and exhaust ports 13, 14' of. the: packing ring 41 and thus furnish the maximum pressure supply and exhaust discharge from the opposite ends of the several cylinders when the greatest amont of power. is desired, or this valve ring may be turned so that its pressure and exhaust ports are more or less out of. register with the corresponding pressure and exhaust ports of the packing ring 4 1, as shown in Fig- 6, and thereby cause the supply of pressure medium to the cylinders to be reduced and the speed and power of the engine to be lowered accordingly. 'I'o permit of such rotation of the valve ring 52 the pressure and exhaust pipes 69;. T9 may be mounted sufficiently free so that the same can move the required extent with the valve ring, or these main pressure and. exhaust pipes may be provided with flexible sections 88, 81 to permit such movement of these pipes relative to the stationary pressure and exhaust conduits with which they may be connected.

Various means may be employed for adjusting the valve ring 52 circumferentially to suit requirements, those shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5 comprising an angular adjusting arm 8?. projecting laterally outward from the valvelring through a slot 83 in the frame wall 22 and then radially outward therefrom where the same may be manipulated either directly at close range by hand or connected with some shifting device for actu ating the valve ring from a distance when remote control of the same is necessary.

For the purpose of enabling the engine to be operated so that the rotor turns in either direction the valve ring 52 may be provided with an additional exhaust port 84 adjacent to each pressure port 66' but on the side opposite the companion exhaust port 16 in the valve ring 52, said exhaust ports Hi and 84 being connected by a short conduit 85 in the valve ring 52, as shown in Fig. 7. Upon turning the valve ring as thus organized in one direction the pressure medium is first admitted through the pressure port'66 to the pressure port 64 at one end of the respective cylinder to produce a power stroke of its piston and turn the rotor clockwise, and then this cylinder is connected with the exhaust port 14 for discharging the spent pressure medium, at which time the additional exhaust port 84 in the valve ring is idle. When, however, the valve ring 52 is turned in the opposite direction so as to bring the pressure port 66 into register with the previous exhaust port I4,and the previous idle exhaust port 84 will register with the previous pressure port 64, and the previous exhaust port 16 will be moved into an idle position, thereby reversing the pressure and exhaust connections with the cylinders and causing the rotor to be turned anticlockwise.

Lubrication of this engine may be efiected in any suitable manner but this is preferably accomplished by introducing oil through a supply pipe 86 into one of the eccentric thrust grooves or cams 45 from whence it flows into the several guideways'38 and the companion eccentric cam groove 45, and also conducted by the ducts 81 in: the framewalls to the bearings of the driving shaft; and also conducted by radial ducts 88,

transverse ducts 89 and segmental chambers 90 on opposite sides of the rotor to the joints between the rotor and the side guiding surfaces of the frame. The pistons and piston rods may be lubricated by introducing oil into the pressure medium or in any other approved manner.

As shown in Figs. 1-6 this invention is organized as a stationary engine for driving other devices.

If desired, these improvements may be employed for driving an automobile, as shown in Figs. and 11. For this purpose the frame 20 of the engine is constructed substantially like that shown in Figs. 1-6 but is secured on its upper side to the frame 9| of an automobile and the guide chamber in the motor frame is open as shown at 92. In this embodiment of the invention the rotor 93 of the motor is preferably journaled on a stationary arbor 94 which is secured at its opposite ends to the engine frame and the periphery of the rotor is provided with a tire or tread 95 of any suitable material, for example rubber, so that the same in effect constitutes a power operated driving wheel which projects with its lower part through the opening 92 in the lower side of the engine frame and runs on the road or surface over which the automobile travels. In other respects the engine shown in Figs. 10 and 11 is identical with that shown in Figs. 1-6 and the foregoing description therefore applies to both embodiments of this invention.

By thus building an engine directly into the wheel of an automobile the means for propelling the same are simplified, the power of the pressure agent is utilized more advantageously in connection with a plurality of wheels, and there is less likelihood of the automobile becoming powerless as is the case in automobiles in which the several wheels are driven from a single motor.

As a whole this engine is comparatively simple in construction considering the function it performs, it has no delicate parts which are likely to get out of order, and the same permits of a direct application of power in a manner which is very economical in operation and maintenance.

I claim as my invention:

1. A rotary engine comprising a rotary drum provided with a radial cylinder and outer and inner ports communicating respectively with the outer and inner ends of said cylinder, a frame upon which said drum is journaled and which is provided with an endless cam arranged eccentrically relative to the axis of said drum and also provided with an annular guide pocket which is arranged concentrically relative to said axis, a conduit ring arranged in said pocket and movable axially relative to said drum but held against rotary movement therewith and provided with pressure and exhaust channels with which said cylinder ports are adapted to register alternately and said conduit ring being also provided with ports extending from the channels thereof to the outer side of the conduit ring, and a valve ring arranged in said pocket and bearing against the outer side of said conduit ring and having pressure and exhaust ports and capable of turning in said pocket for varying the register of the ports in the valve ring relative to the ports in said conduit ring.

2. A rotary engine comprising a rotary drum provided with a radial cylinder and outer and inner ports communicating respectively with the outer and inner ends of said cylinder, a frame upon which said drum is journaled and which is provided with an endless cam arranged eccentrically relative to the axis of said drum and also provided with an annular guide pocket which is arranged concentrically relative to said axis, a conduit ring arranged in said pocket and movable axially relative to said drum but held against rotary movement therewith and provided with pressure and exhaust channels with which said cylinder ports are adapted to register alternately and said conduit ring being also provided with ports extending from the channel thereof to the outer side of the conduit ring, a valve ring arranged in said pocket and bearing against the outer side of said conduit ring and having pressure and exhaust ports and capable of turning in said pocket for varying the register of the ports in the valve ring relative to the ports in said conduit ring, and springs interposed between the outer side of said valve ring and the frame and urging said rings toward said drum.

3. A rotary engine comprising a rotary drum provided with a radial cylinder and outer and inner ports communicating respectively with the outer and inner ends of said cylinder, a frame upon which said drum is journaled and which is provided with an endless cam arranged eccentrically relative to the axis of said drum and also provided with an annular guide pocket which is arranged concentrically relative to said axis, a conduit ring arranged in said pocket and movable axially relative to said drum but held against rotary movement therewith and provided with pressure and exhaust channels with which said cylinder ports are adapted to register alternately and said conduit ring being also provided with ports extending from the channels thereof to the outer side of the conduit ring, a valve ring arranged in said pocket and bearing against the outer side of said conduit ring and having pressure and exhaust ports and capable of turning in said pocket for varying the register of the ports in the valve ring relative to the ports in said conduit ring, and pressure and exhaust pipes communicating with the pressure and exhaust ports of said valve ring and extending through said frame.

4. A rotary engine comprising arotary drum provided with a radial cylinder and outer and inner ports communicating respectively with the outer and inner ends of said cylinder, a frame upon which said drum is iournaled and which is provided with an endless cam arranged eccentrically relative to the axis of said drum and also provided with an annular guide pocket which is arranged concentrically relative to said axis, a conduit ring arranged in said pocket and movable axially relative to said drum but held against rotary movement therewith and provided with pressure and exhaust channels with which said cylinder ports are adapted to register alternately and said conduit ring being also provided with ports extending from the channels thereof to the outer side of the conduit ring, a valve ring arranged in said pocket and bearing against the outer side of said conduit ring and having pressure and exhaust ports and capable of turningin said pocket for varying the register of the ports in the valve ring relative to the ports in said conduit ring, pressure and exhaust pipes communicating with the pressure and exhaust ports of said valve ring and extending through said frame, and flexible conduit sections connected with said pressure and exhaust pipes.

5. A rotary engine comprising a rotary drum provided with a radial cylinder, outer and inner ends of said cylinder and a radial guideway adports communicating with the outer and inner ends of said cylinder and a radial guideway adjacent to the inner end of said cylinder, a frame on which said drum is journaled and which is provided with an endless cam groove arranged eccentrically relative to the axis of the drum, a piston rod connected with said pitson and extending through a stufing box on the inner head of said cylinder, a cross head slidable radially in said guideway and connected with the inner end of said piston rod, a thrust roller mounted on said cross head and engaging with said cam, and means for alternately supplying live pressure medium to said ports and exhausting the spent medium therefrom.

6. A rotary engine comprising a rotary drum provided with a radial cylinder, outer and inner ports communicating with the outer and inner jacent to the inner end of said cylinder, a frame on which said drum is journaled and which is provided on opposite sides of the drum with endless cams which are arranged eccentric to the axis of the drum, a piston arranged in the cylinder, a piston rod connected with the piston and extending through the inner head of the cylinder, a cross head slidable in said guideway and connected with the inner end of said piston rod, thrust rollers mounted on opposite ends of said cross head and engaging said cams, rings mounted on said frame and engaging opposite sides of said drum, spring means for urging said rings against said drum, and means for altemately supplying pressure medium to and exhausting spent medium from the ports of said cylinder.

FRANK MOESER. 

